Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamilah Sanders.
Hi Kamilah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a global strategist and ecosystem builder I work at the intersections of sustainability, technology, equity, and creativity. I serve as CEO of Greater Than Equal, ecosystem weaving and strategic impact consultancy helping leaders with big visions drive systemic change; Executive Producer of Impact Impetus Media; and the President of Greater Than Equal Institute, a global Think Tank dedicated to Applied Systems Research and facilitating global convenings that activate ecosystems and advance systemic change. I also serve as a board member of a global member-led organization of social innovators called Catalyst Now where I help to lead the Sustainable Fashion Collaboration, a global network transforming the fashion industry system through the creation of a collaborative ecosystem of sustainable ethical actors along the supply chain.
My background is a strong foundation of over 25 years of experience in marketing and executive leadership across diverse industries—from fashion to financial services to sustainable tech. Coming from a long line of creatives, I studied at an HBCU (North Carolina Central University), majoring in Visual Communications with a minor in Business. To round out my studies, I later earned graduate certificates in Integrated Communications Management and Leadership Development which further enhanced my journey into corporate executive marketing.
In 2015, I began to feel a shift. After accomplishing my career goals I started to ask myself “Now what?”. So I went on a journey of self-discovery to understand where I truly fit and how to lean into my purpose to make a greater impact on the world. Mid 2019, I left the corporate world to work for a nonprofit organization and to my surprise it was a huge culture shock. I saw first hand how running an organization with a vision and mission was meaningful but running it without a clear strategy was limiting the impact. I realized with over 20 years of experience my calling was too big for one organization and I took the leap to start my own business where I could help multiple leaders build comprehensive strategies and lasting partnerships to maximize impact and realize big visions of true systemic change.
I knew when I founded Greater Than Equal that I wanted it to not just be a consulting business but a community of leaders shifting systems. I launched Greater Than Equal as a a global Think Tank, a movement and a community—designed to serve leaders who are committed to equity, innovation, and global impact. I combined my passions: art, fashion, sustainability, technology and built a niche to truly impact the world in my own unique way. My personal and business mission is to connect disparate groups of people and amplify marginalized voices. Our thoughtful, intentional beginnings have led to where we are today.
Believing in the power of art and technology to connect cultures and break down barriers we curate Ecosystem Activation events such as Into the Metaverse Phygital Art Reception; Fashioning Our World Together Web3 Networking Party; Pulse of Progress Celebration of Arts; C.O.D.E. – Cultural Origins Design Exchange; Fashion Forward: Scaling Collaborative Innovation in collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and more.
I also serve as a strategic advisor for entrepreneur accelerator programs at The Entrepreneur Center, Arts & Business Council, and Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship, and have been a featured speaker and moderator on stages at the World Economic Forum, Forrester, Trellis Circularity Conference, UN General Assembly, Brooklyn Fashion Week, MogulCon, and GatherVerse, as well as host of the Fashion Futurist, AI for Creatives, Synapse Shift podcasts and more.
My work spans across global convenings, cross-sector collaboration, and impact storytelling. Through Greater Than Equal, Greater Than Equal Institute, and Impact Impetus Media, I hold space in rooms where others are not always welcome or heard. Whether I’m speaking on global stages about sustainable fashion; leadership development and systems change frameworks; or AI and humanity, I unapologetically hold space for concepts and voices that are often ignored or not considered in most forums.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path of innovation and purpose-driven work requires you to forge your own way, often in spaces where there’s no clear model to follow.
Entrepreneurship, for me, has been a journey of self-awareness. I left the corporate world after quickly achieving the career goals I’d set since high school, only to realize – maybe I didn’t think big enough. That realization led me into deep reflection, spirit work, and honest exploration. I read, journaled, and attended workshops—but more importantly, I acted. I paid close attention to what brought me joy, where I naturally thrived, and how I felt when I was doing work that impacts others.
I discovered my “zone of genius”—those moments when I am translating complex ideas; solving big problems under pressure; and building lasting relationships and deep connections. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty and trust each emergent step on the path towards my purpose. I’ve also learned to stretch myself, experiment, and embrace failure as a teacher.
This inner work hasn’t just shaped who I am as a leader—it’s at the core of how I inspire others to lead. Whether through facilitation, ecosystem weaving, strategy sessions, speaking engagements, or global convenings, I understand that navigating the complexities of accomplishing true system change with multi-stakeholder, cross-sector collaborations requires leaning into intangible forces such as emotional intelligence, trust, and conflict management that make collaborations successful. I integrate this holistic view into my practice which helps leaders drive effective change.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Greater Than Equal?
At Greater Than Equal, we help leaders drive systemic change through future-proofed strategies, bold convenings, and impactful storytelling.
We work with organizational leaders navigating complex ideas and guide them to clarity, strategy, and momentum. We specialize in cross-sector collaboration and what is called ecosystem weaving—the practice of connecting people across industries, cultures, and geographies to solve systemic problems together.
We don’t believe change happens in silos. That’s why we convene diverse stakeholders from local leaders and grassroots organizations to global corporations and policymakers. We create spaces to not only weave ecosystems but facilitate ecosystem activation where innovation and collaboration flows from unexpected connections.
Our work includes:
Strategic Consulting, Facilitation, & Ecosystem Building – Helping organizations align their vision with impact strategies that work across sectors.
Greater Than Equal Institute – A global think tank, focused on multi-stakeholder collaboration, thought leadership, and action.
Impact Impetus Media – A platform that gives voice to those often left out of mainstream media. We spotlight solutions in an optimistic way, sharing real stories from the people closest to the problem—because they hold the keys to solving it.
We believe that community is an essential part of a resilient future. Together, we have the power to build the world we want to see. We’re connectors, conveners, and catalysts, here to shift power, center empathy, and inspire action.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
A few transformative resources I often return to:
“Find Your Why” by Simon Sinek – This book helped me align my work with my life’s mission through powerful exercises that brought clarity to my purpose.
“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks – A must-read on stepping into your “zone of genius” and recognizing the difference between what you’re good at and what you’re meant to do.
“The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann – A insightful perspective on how business thrives when it’s built on giving, authenticity, and value.
“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by Deepak Chopra – A powerful reminder of the inner work and spiritual alignment necessary for outward success.
I also encourage readers to follow Impact Impetus Media—our platform that offers trusted storytelling from the source through articles, podcasts, video, and more. In a world full of noise, we’re curating a space for amplifying optimistic stories of social innovators globally to inspire thought-provoking conversations for knowledge and resource sharing fostering collaboration and helping leaders maximize their impact and drive systemic change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greaterthanequal.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivanoir/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamilahsanders/
- Other: https://impactimpetus.com/
